How to Wash Cloth Diapers

Don't let anyone tell you washing cloth diapers is difficult, inconvenient, or disgusting! It's so easy, even Dad will be washing them!

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A dry or wet pail for storing soiled diapers between washings
• Laundry detergent
• Washing machine
• Dryer (optional)

1. Collect wet/soiled diapers in a plastic daiper pail (lidded garbage cans work great) between washings.
2. When ready to wash, use a HOT wash with a COLD rinse cycle. Make sure to select a high water level.
3. Use approximately 1/4 the amount of detergent you would use on a normal load of laundry. It is important not to use too much soap - build-up may occur, reducing the absorbency of your diapers. Use a mild detergent with no phosphates and a miminimum amount of additives. (See detergent chart listed in "Resources" below)
4. Dry on high heat for an average of 60 minutes to sterilize diapers. Drying in direct sunlight is an acceptable alternative and saves on resources! An added bonus is that direct sunlight is *great* for removing stubborn stains!

Tips & Warnings

• Optionally, you may first soak diapers overnight or for several hours in cold water with or without oxygen bleach (oxi-clean) or detergent. This helps fight stains and keeps your diapers' linings bright white.
• Shake feces into the toilet before placing in the diaper pail between washings. Some people purchase optional "diaper sprayers" that attach to your toilet's tank to spray feces from diapers.
• Some people like to pre-rinse their diapers in cold water without detergent prior to the hot wash (Step 1).
• "Free and Clear" detergents work well on cloth diaper laundry; cheap "generic" brands of detergent are also usually good because they do not contain "frills" such as perfumes or dyes.
• If you have hard water, you may add 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser during the final rinsing.
• Fasten velcro tabs prior to washing to avoid diaper chains!
• Don't wash more than two dozen diapers at one time - too much friction can cause pilling.
• Make sure you check the washing and drying instructions for every brand of diaper you buy to extend the overall life of your diapers.
• It is best to avoid detergents with whitening enzymes, which are notorious for causing rashes.
• Do not use chlorine bleach on cloth diapers - while great for killing germs, it eats away at the fibers of your diapers. Oxygen bleach (Oxi-clean and similar products) is a safe alternative.
• Do not use fabric softener on cloth diapers - it will leave a residue on the diapers, making them less absorbent.